Hunting

The United States has done it. The Philippines and China too. Even Hong Kong has said it will destroy some of its contraband ivory. But ahead of a conservation conference in London next month where world leaders will descend to seek a solution to wildlife crime, the debate about the future of stockpiles is set to heat up.

Whether by accident or design, there’s a sense of great aloneness about the Laura Marling live experience. She stands in the centre of the Usher Hall’s large stage, picked out by a spotlight and with only an interchangeable pair of acoustic guitars for comfort. Not even the usual buzzing fly presence of a guitar technician offers some respite. For reasons she “won’t go into”, she no longer travels with one, which means her shows are “pretty much fifteen percent tuning now. It’s all included in the ticket price.” Yet a stylistic aloneness doesn’t mean loneliness, and we’re very conscious of being one of the nearly three thousand-strong capacity crowd here with her, watching and listening intently.